With COVID-19 running amuck, I was in the mood for a laugh, so, on Saturday night, Rob and I went to see “Emma.” (I have no idea why the period is in the title – perhaps it’s because it’s a “period piece!”) The film is yet another adaptation of the great 1815 novel by Jane Austen, which was her last book published while she was alive. There have been numerous screen adaptations before, but why not one more? The film took about 30 minutes to find its footing, and if the Lakers had been playing that night I might even have walked out! However, I thoroughly enjoyed the last 90 minutes. If you’re in the mood for a light-hearted romantic comedy, this movie will “fit-the-bill” nicely.
Emma (Anya Taylor-Joy) is a young woman in her early 20’s. She’s pretty and smart, but rather arrogant and selfish. She lives with her father (Bill Nighy) on a large estate. The two are very close, as Emma’s mother is deceased. Emma doesn’t need to get married and she seems to have no interest in doing so, but she fancies herself to be a great match-maker and her efforts on behalf of her close friend, Harriett (Mia Goth), wreak all sorts of havoc.
Emma’s childhood friend, George Knightley (Johnny Flynn), knows Emma well and calls her on her B.S., but Emma will not be deterred from her scheming. Emma has a passing interest in a handsome, wealthy nobleman, Frank Churchill (Callum Turner), but he seems fond of another attractive and accomplished woman, Jane Fairfax (Amber Anderson). Emma doesn’t care much about Frank, but she’s competitive and doesn’t want Frank to like Jane better than her.
Will Emma have to “eat crow” when everything blows up on her? Will Emma find true love, even if she isn’t looking for it? It’s fairly obvious where the film will wind up, but it’s fun how it gets there. The ensemble cast is terrific, especially Anya Taylor-Joy, who does well with both the serious and comedic scenes.
Bottom Line: “Emma.” starts out like a loser, but finishes with a flourish.
P.S.: If this virus doesn’t get contained, I may not go to the movies for awhile.
With COVID-19 running amuck, I was in the mood for a laugh, so, on Saturday night, Rob and I went to see "Emma." (I have no idea why the period is in the title – perhaps it's because it's a "period piece!") The film is yet another adaptation of the great 1815 novel by Jane Austen, which was her last book published while she was alive. There have been numerous screen adaptations before, but why not one more? The film took about 30 minutes to find its footing, and if the Lakers had been playing that night I might even have walked out! However, I thoroughly enjoyed the last 90 minutes. If you're in the mood for a light-hearted romantic comedy, this movie will "fit-the-bill" nicely. Emma (Anya Taylor-Joy) is a young woman in her early 20's. She's pretty and smart, but rather arrogant and selfish. She lives with her father (Bill Nighy) on a large estate. The two are very close, as Emma's mother is deceased. Emma doesn't need to get married and she seems to have no interest in doing so, but she fancies herself to be a great match-maker and her efforts on behalf of her close friend, Harriett (Mia Goth), wreak all sorts of havoc. Emma's childhood friend, George Knightley (Johnny Flynn), knows Emma well and calls her on her B.S., but Emma will not be deterred from her scheming. Emma has a passing interest in a handsome, wealthy nobleman, Frank Churchill (Callum Turner), but he seems fond of another attractive and accomplished woman, Jane Fairfax (Amber Anderson). Emma doesn't care much about Frank, but she's competitive and doesn't want Frank to like Jane better than her. Will Emma have to "eat crow" when everything blows up on her? Will Emma find true love, even if she isn't looking for it? It's fairly obvious where the film will wind up, but it's fun how it gets there. The ensemble cast is terrific, especially Anya Taylor-Joy, who does well with both the serious and comedic scenes. Bottom Line: "Emma." starts out like a loser, but finishes with a flourish. P.S.: If this virus doesn't get contained, I may not go to the movies for awhile.
Emma.: Matchmaking Mischief!
Emma.: Matchmaking Mischief!
2020-03-10
David
75
7.5
Entertaining and Funny!
User Rating : No Ratings Yet !
8
